AssetTrader Buying Guide to Platforms

Introduction

Platforms have really only two functions to do work above-ground and to lift employees to high shelving or to gain access to equipment or maintenance. Their basic purpose still serves a vital part of most warehouses, manufacturing plants, retail stores, construction, and utility work. Platforms also fulfil roles in specialist applications that require exposure to hard to reach locations.
AssetTrader has put together a buyer’s guide to platforms whether it’s for general use in a warehouse or for aerial lifts for maintenance work, we can provide the right information and help you make a decision on the differences between scissor lifts, boom lifts and personnel lifts and what to look for in each.

Functionality and Use

Generally the only things you need to ask yourself are what height do you want the platform to reach and what lifting capacities will you require. This can be answered simply by measuring the height of the location you need to reach, whether it’s shelving, equipment, or a floor level. The height will also provide the answer to what type of platform will be needed according to the location.

The platform height is measured to the height that the floor of the lift reaches. So the minimum height is 6’ and above. The measurement starts from the level of the floor of the platform. For instance a platform with the lift height of 19’ will mean you can work at heights of up to 25’.
The lifting capacity can be a little harder to work out, but it’s based on how much weight you will need to be supported. The lifting capacity or operating capacity can be in the range of 300 to over 2,000 lbs. The standard operating capacity is roughly 500 to 7000 lbs, enough to lift two workers and their equipment.
The rule of thumb is that larger platforms with a good height and weight capacity can be bulky machines that are difficult to use indoors. The amount of workspace the lift will be operating in should also be taken into account. The industry standard for platforms comes in two models, the slab and rough terrain lifts. The slab lifts are used for indoors on flat and smooth surfaces. The rough terrain lifts are for mostly outdoor work on uneven ground.